Chapter 12

Boober sat on his bed, turning over Wembley's words in his mind. He couldn't wipe his friend's shocked face from his memory. He couldn't erase what he himself had said and done.

I wonder how Lana got hurt, he thought. I wasn't there. She hurt herself and I wasn't there…

This train of thought refused to be completed and was soon abandoned. Boober couldn't stand it anymore. The pain and heartbreak he had bottled up for years came rushing back. He could see his mother's blurry figure before him and hear the words he had… what? Dreamt? In the undergrounds.

I never left.

He remembered his father, too, whom he'd looked so much like. He'd inherited his exact same fur colors, and his love for cooking, and…

"Boober?"

Boober startled, expecting another ghost, but it was only Mokey, with something under her arm.

"May I come in?" her voice was gentle, light as a Ditsy.

"If you don't hate me."

"Don't be silly."

Boober scooted over so that Mokey could sit on the edge of the bed.

"Don't worry about Wembley. All Fraggles learn that the world outside the Rock is not always a nice place. He just learned it a little too suddenly is all." Mokey smoothed her hair a little absentmindedly, and looked at Boober with a faraway expression in her eyes.

"What?"

"I was just thinking...you learned that the world can be harsh quite early. It must have been difficult for you."

Boober nodded.

"I'm going to apologize to everyone," he said.

"Boober, there's something I want you to consider. I've seen you at your best and at your worst. I've seen Sidebottom, and even though you're not at your best right now, I think this is a good time to say-"

"This way, Wembley! I know you don't want to see Boober right now, but we've got to get help!"

"He won't want to help her! It's my fault. I left her there!"

Boober and Mokey looked at each other in puzzlement as Wembley and Pedley ran into the room. Wembley had a handkerchief tied around his nose and mouth, and Boober could hear him wheezing slightly.

Boober slid out of bed and walked toward Wembley unsteadily. He had barely been out of bed for two weeks and he was still a bit dizzy. Mokey followed close behind.

"Wem, what happened?"

Pedley sighed. "Lana was caught in a dust storm, Boober."

Boober stared at Pedley with his concealed eyes.

"Pedley, I'm surprised at you. Disaster isn't something to joke about. I mean, if she'd really been caught in a dust storm, she'd be in huge trouble." He chuckled. "What?" he said as Pedley shook his head.

"We're not joking, Boober," said Pedley. "She doesn't have much time. Gobo and Red are with her now, but they're not top medics like you."

"He is correct, Boober. You must hurry if you are to save your cousin."

Cantus had followed Wembley and Pedley silently behind, and now stood next to Boober's collection of laundry lint. "You have forgiven her now, yes?"

Boober's voice was a strained whisper. "Yes. But is she really…"

Cantus nodded. "What you do not realize, Boober, is that everybody has a song. Fraggles, Doozers, Silly Creatures, Gorgs, all are part of the great medley that is the universe. Your path has been a difficult one, but from it you have gained much. You are ready. You are not a child anymore. Go forth and accomplish great things."